Iran has accused the United States of pressing for diplomatic talks through private channels while publicly threatening to expand military conflict. Hassan Gashghavi, spokesman for Iran’s parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy and a senior lawmaker, made the remarks before US President Donald Trump cancelled a planned attack, according to a report published on August 2, 2026.

Gashghavi said navigation through the strategic Strait of Hormuz would be controlled solely according to Tehran’s decisions regardless of how the ongoing conflict develops. He criticized what he described as US double standards, saying Washington speaks publicly about escalation while seeking negotiations through existing secret channels. He said Iran’s policy governing passage through the strait would remain the only option whether the situation moved toward conflict or talks.

Majidreza Hariri, head of the Iran-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, wrote on X that Washington lacks the courage to attack Iran’s energy and electricity infrastructure. The report said Iran has about 150 power generation facilities in a decentralized electricity system. Experts cited in the report said the broad network would make it nearly impossible to deprive the entire country of power simultaneously through air strikes.